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Check out these underrated islands

Islands are awesome but, for many, the tropics aren’t worth the bother. Hot, sweaty, buzzing with tourists and mosquitoes…how are you supposed to relax? If you’re more about spending your hard-earned time off amid misty skies, craggy peaks, serene beaches, delicious food, and amazing animals, here are some destinations that offer all that island beauty with none of the heat rash.

1. San Juan Islands, Washington State

Photo: Vikki Hunt/Shutterstock

Located between Washington State and Vancouver Island, British Columbia, the San Juan Islands are a forested archipelago known for pristine waters, mountain views, and wildlife. The cool Pacific Northwest climate keeps these islands comfortable year-round — making them a perfect island escape, no matter the season.

The port city of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island is home to fresh seafood restaurants, shops, and the Whale Museum. The Lime Kiln Point State Park, across the island, is a top spot for sighting orca whales, and the San Juan Islands Sculpture Park has a collection of art from local and world-renowned sculptors.

Nearby Orcas Island hosts the annual Doe Bay Festival, a four-day summer grassroots music event that attracts top-billing artists. Foodies flock to restaurants here like the Hogstone’s Wood Oven, serving up local cuisine from the hands of multiple James Beard-award nominee Jay Blackinton.

Getting there: A state-run car and passenger ferry system delivers visitors to the main islands on a regular schedule from Anacortes, Washington, and the islands are also serviced by seaplane from Seattle.

2. Faroe Islands, Denmark

Photo: Nick Fox/Shutterstock

The Faroe Islands are part of Denmark but lie in the North Atlantic between Iceland and Norway. These rocky, volcanic outposts are cloudy and cool throughout the year, averaging 210 rainy or snowy days annually. Hikers and birders come for the islands’ craggy cliffs and sightings such as the Faroese puffins, with their bright plumage and cartoon-like faces. Whale-watchers can also spot orca and long-finned pilot whales.

Live music is a regular part of Island life, and many Faroese play several instruments. You can catch local acts at the islands’ two breweries or at one of the many cafes that line the streets of most towns. Foodies have also been coming to Faroese restaurants of late. Etika creates sushi from fresh Faroese seafood and the 17-course tasting menu at Koks recently earned it a Michelin star, the first such accolade on the islands.

Getting there: Scandinavian Airlines and government-owned Atlantic Airways have flights to the main airport, while Atlantic Airways offers helicopter service to outer islands. By sea, Smyril Line runs boat service from Iceland and Denmark. The 18 islands are connected by roads, ferries, and bridges.

3. Prince Edward Island, Canada

Photo: Vadim.Petrov/Shutterstock

Just north of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island was the fictional setting for the novel Anne of Green Gables. The island is ringed by red-sand beaches dotted with lighthouses, while the interior is full of fertile farmland. The warm ocean waters surrounding the island are ideal for clamming, sea kayaking, fishing, and boating. Rolling hills make it easy to get around on bike or foot, and the 270-mile-long Confederation Trail is a popular path for sightseeing.

Farms across the island offer everything from petting zoos to farm stays, where lodgers enjoy life on the farm while lending a bit of muscle. Breweries, wineries, and distilleries are popping up across Prince Edward Island, featuring libations made from locally-produced grapes, hops, fruits, and grains. Called “Canada’s Food Island,” Prince Edward is best known for its mussels and lobster. You can try them, and the island’s much-touted potatoes, at one of the restaurants in the island’s capital Charlottetown, which also has a modern art center, theatres, and shops.

Getting there: You can reach Prince Edward by bridge, or flying into Charlottetown.

4. Kodiak Island, Alaska

Photo: bobby20/Shutterstock

The Kodiak Island archipelago is a large group of islands about 30 miles from the Alaska Peninsula. Kodiak Island is the largest in the group. Called “The Emerald Isle,” thanks to its carpeting of forest and moss, nearly two-thirds of the island is part of the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge.

You can hike in lush forests, stalk wildflowers, and check out its abundant wildlife — including the Kodiak brown bear, the largest brown bear in the world. July to September are the best months to see these bears, some of which can stand up on hind legs almost 10 feet tall. Kodiak Island also has some of the best whale-watching in the world. From April to November, you can see grey whales, sei and minke whales, and humpback whales from boats or from viewing spots at Miller Point at Ft. Abercrombie State Park, Surfer Beach, or the cliffs along Chiniak Highway.

Bird watchers come to see the over 240 species that calling Kodiak Island home, including the bald eagles that come during the impressive “winter invasion.” Their size makes a swooping eagle a sight most will never forget.

Getting there: Alaska Airlines flies to Kodiak Island from Anchorage, and the Alaska Marine Service offers ferries to Kodiak from Homer, Alaska.

5. Menorca, Spain

Photo: Tono Balaguer/Shutterstock

Menorca is one of the Balearic islands off the coast of Spain in the Mediterranean, but is more low-key than its neighbors, Mallorca and Ibiza. Menorca is known for its beaches, from miles-long sandy strands to rocky bays. Thanks to a temperate climate, shady pine trees fringe the coast, while the interior areas are full of farmland dotted with forts, castles, and prehistoric monuments.

The capital city of Mahon sits atop a bluff overlooking a large harbor and is surrounded by historic architecture, including Georgian-style mansions and a church dating back to the 13th century. Kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, and scuba diving are popular in summer. While high temperatures reach over 80 degrees in July and August, other months are much cooler, and year-round the dry climate means less rain or humidity than on tropical islands.

The 116-mile Camí de Cavalls is an ancient pathway that encircles the island. It’s popular with hikers and campers, who use it to reach some of Menorca’s most inaccessible and beautiful beaches. The path is broken up into smaller intervals, making walking parts of it an option, if you don’t want to take up your entire vacation with a long-distance haul.

Getting there: A short flight from Barcelona or Valencia will get you there.

6. Hebrides, Scotland

Photo: LouieLea/Shutterstock

Emerald waters, ancient stones, and aged whiskey are among the highlights of these 50 islands along the west coast of Scotland. Walk along sandy beaches, admire fields of wildflowers, or climb the jagged Cuillin Hills on the Isle of Skye. On the Isle of Lewis, you can visit prehistoric sites, like the 5,000-year-old Callanish Standing Stones.

The Hebrides are a haven for marine mammals and seabirds. The northwest isles are ideal for watching otters, while you might glimpse whales, dolphins, and porpoises from the Isle of Mull. Throughout the islands, seals haul themselves from the water for a rest. Birdwatchers can spend long days observing golden eagles, puffins, and gannets.

Food and drink figure prominently into many visitors’ Hebrides itineraries. Lobster, crab, and shellfish are plucked straight from the sea and free-range meats, fattened on the island’s plentiful heather, are on most menus. The Isle of Skye has two Michelin-star restaurants that feature other local specialties such as gin-cured salmon and halibut roasted in Douglas fir. Whiskey, Scottish Gaelic for “water of life”, flows freely throughout the islands. The eight distilleries on the Isle of Islay are known for their smokey, peat-infused malts.

Getting there: The central Isle of Skye is connected to the mainland by a bridge, with other islands accessible by bridges, ferries, and tour boats. Bus service gets you around the islands and touring by bike is a common pastime. Every island has somewhere to rent a bike, which can also be taken on buses and ferries.

7. Åland Islands, Finland

Photo: Yuriy Shmidt/Shutterstock

The autonomous Finnish province of Åland is located in the Baltic Sea, between mainland Finland and Sweden. The archipelago has over 6,500 islands, but only around 60 are inhabited — giving the area a quiet, relaxed feel even in the summer tourist season.

The official language here is Swedish, while many of the intricately detailed wooden houses — in pastel hues of yellow, blue, and lilac — were built in the 19th century by Russians who once controlled the area. The capital (and only) city, Mariehamm, is named for the Russian Empress Maria Alexandrovna, and its cobbled streets fill with visitors in summer. Mariehamm’s cafes serve local specialties like Åland pancakes, warm slabs of semolina, with milk, sugar, and cardamom, and lohikeitto, a hearty dill, salmon, and potato soup.

The white nights of northern European summers make these islands a prime spot for those who want to pack as much into a visit as possible. Cycling, golf, kayaking, sailing, and fishing are favorite activities — but a highlight is taking a classic Finnish sauna and cooling off with a dip in the chilly Baltic Sea. Mariehamm even has a public steam room, swimming pool, and sauna. Many visitors begin their visit in Mariehamm and then move to a rented cabin on a smaller island to enjoy the beauty and solitude all Åland has to offer.

Getting there: Midway between Stockholm and Helsinki, the islands are easily reached by boat or ferry from many locations or even a Finnair plane from Helsinki or Turku. Thanks to many options of ferries and bridges, it is easy to hop from island to island.


More like this: The 7 most underrated islands in the US if you can’t make it to Hawaii

The post Tropical islands suck. Go to these 7 islands instead. appeared first on Matador Network.

Swimming hole in Brazilian desert

It might not be as dramatic or well-known as Iguazu Falls, but Cachoeira do Formiga definitely deserves to be on your bucket list, especially if you love wild swimming.

Literally “ant waterfall” named for the river it sits on, Rio Formiga, this turquoise pool is as clear as they come. Cachoeira do Formiga is situated in the Jalapão State Park, a reserve whose ecology ranges from arid desert to flat-topped plateaus to lush vegetation surrounding water sources.

At 8-meter wide and just around 2-meter deep, it’s not that large, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in dumbfounding beauty. The bright turquoise color is so saturated that it looks Photoshopped, and the water is so clear you can make out the grains of white sand settled at the bottom of the pool.

Cachoeira do Formiga is privately owned and requires an entrance fee of 10-20 Reais ($3-5 USD). But the good news is, camping is allowed here for 30 Reais a night, so you can save on accommodation.

How to get there

Just 36 kilometers from Mateiros, in the state of Tocantins, Brazil. Cachoeira do Formiga is located in Jalapão State Park. Take Highway BR-22 toward São Félix do Tocantins. It’s all dirt road. Many car agencies won’t rent to tourists going to Jalapão because of the bad roads, so it’s a good idea to hire someone to get you there.

What to consider

During rainy season, from November to April, the water can get a little cloudy.
While it can be seen year-round, the best time to visit is from May to October.
Bring a mask, a snorkel, and bug repellent.
The falls may be small, but they are mighty and will pummel you if you sit under them.
It’s possible to climb around above the falls and jump from them, too.
Access to the pool itself is an easy 5-minute walk and can be done by just about anyone.
Ideally, if you’re driving yourself, you’ll want a 4×4 vehicle.



More like this: 8 swimming holes to add to your bucket list

The post There’s a crystal clear swimming hole in the middle of this Brazilian desert appeared first on Matador Network.

River surfing in Germany

Munich, Germany — the heart of Bavaria — is hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean surf break. Yet, even here, surfers find a way to quench their need for waves.

They ride a standing wave on the Eisbach, a man-made river that runs through Munich’s Englischer Garten, one of the world’s largest urban parks. The Eisbach, or “ice brook,” is just over a mile long, fast-moving, and cold. Surfers first discovered the Eisbach wave in 1972. Surfing it is dangerous and, for nearly 40 years, it was also illegal.

Neoprene-clad surfers running through the Englischer Garten with policemen in hot pursuit were a common sight. Surfers often had to pick up their boards from the police station. In 2010, the city bought the land around the wave and, after petitions from surfers, legalized the sport.

The Eisbach has two rideable waves, the Eisbach E1 and Eisbach E2. The more famous one, the E1, is accessible only to expert surfers. The wave is only about 3-foot tall, but the river is narrow, rapid, and very shallow – sometimes only 16-inch deep. The second wave, E2, is downstream, where the river is wider. The water moves more slowly there, creating a wave more suited to beginners.

In sunshine or snowfall, surfers line up on the banks of the river, awaiting their turn on the Eisbachwelle, or Eisbach wave. Competitions are even held on the Eisbachwelle, considered one of the best river waves on earth. Many of the most famous surfers in the world, from Kelly Slater to Mick Fanning, have come inland to carve up its yard-high face.

How to get there

The Eisbach E1 wave is located at the south end of the Englischer Garten, in the center of Munich, Germany. It’s next to the modern art museum, by the Prinzregentenstraße and Bruderstraße crossing. Eisbach E2 is just a couple hundred meters further north into the park, at the Dianabadschwelle.

More like this: How to get started surfing

The post The Eisbach is proof that surfers will find a way to surf with or without an ocean appeared first on Matador Network.

Mushroom cloud in Alabama

A crazy mushroom cloud resembling something that Super Mario might pluck from the sky made the rounds on social media this past weekend. On June 12, Alabama meteorologist Jane Dunne tweeted this photo of a mushroom cloud of near-perfect symmetrics shooting down rain off the state’s southeastern coast, which promptly went viral:

Quite possibly the best example of a mushroom

First aid kit for travel

Whether you’re hitting the trail, the beach, or a new city, there’s one thing most travelers can agree on: you should always expect the unexpected. Your best bet for the best trip ever is to be prepared for anything, and that includes injuries, sickness, and other physical mishaps. The ultimate defense against these “unexpecteds” is a first-aid kit packed with the essentials…and then some.

Every first-aid kit — homemade or purchased — should be equipped with the basic, standard safety must-haves. Below are the essentials you shouldn’t leave home without, no matter where you’re headed, along with a few add-ons, depending on the type of trip you’re embarking on.

The essentials
1. Band-Aids

It’s first aid 101 — and probably the first thing that comes to mind when packing a ‘just in case’ kit. Be sure to always have an assortment of sizes and types available — particularly butterfly closures for deeper lacerations.

2. Gauze pads

A multi-purpose first-aid maven. Gauze pads can be used on a wound to absorb bleeding, they can be used with medical tape as a makeshift Band-Aid, and can also be used to clean a wound or apply medication (ointments, etc.).

3. Antiseptic wipes

A simple and effective way to sanitize a wound — or just keep clean in general (dirty hands, but dying to dive into your trail snacks? An antiseptic wipe can help there, too).

4. Adhesive medical tape

Medical tape can serve many purposes from holding a Band-Aid in its place to buddy-taping sprained or broken fingers or toes.

5. Antibacterial ointment

Neosporin or the like will do. Use this on blisters, burns, and cuts, to help keep the affected area clean and to help it heal, too.

6. Gloves

When addressing a wound, it’s always imperative to wear gloves for your safety, and the safety of whomever you’re assisting.

7. Scissors

Perfect for cutting gauze pads, or adhesive medical tape. Can also come in handy in other emergency situations.

8. Thermometer

You’ll want to make sure that the thermometer in your first-aid kit is both durable and effective, so avoid glass options and ones with mercury.

9. Tweezers

Splinters, ticks, and thorns, oh my! You’ll want to have a set of tweezers on hand for those otherwise impossible-to-get-out skin intrusions.

10. Burn gel

For most minor burns, a burn gel will soothe the area, helping to relieve pain.

11. Ice pack

Good for burns, taking down inflammation from bug bites, and can also be applied to sprains/injury to reduce swelling.

12. Eyewash

A piece of dirt, or sand, a contact gone rogue — eyewash can help safely, and effectively, remove foreign bodies from eyes.

First-aid add-ons

The first-aid essentials list is adaptable to any trip, and it’s likely to evolve depending on the environment you’re traveling to — and the potential mishaps that could arise. If you’re heading to the coast for beach camping, you’re probably going to want to keep SPF handy, and if you’re spending time in a city and have an affinity for diving into the local cuisine, enjoying market finds, and street meat, a pack of Imodium might not be a bad idea to keep close.

Here’s a breakdown of a few first-aid kit add-ons that you might want to consider for your next adventure.

If you’re heading on a beach trip.

Ocean-safe SPF: Raw Elements, will keep both your skin, and the reef, protected.
Lip balm: Keep your lips hydrated, and protected from the elements, with lip balm.
Aloe vera: Aloe is the perfect accompaniment to a beach trip; it is the go-to for soothing sunburned skin.
Oral rehydration salts: Dehydration is common on beach/hot weather vacations, these salts are taken orally and can help both to prevent dehydration and treat symptoms of dehydration.

If you’re going to be doing a lot of hiking.

Electrolyte tabs: These ones from NUUN, can be dropped into water to give you a steady supply of electrolytes and minerals you’re losing when you’re racking up miles on those long trail days.
Water purification tablets (or a Lifestraw): Because running out of water is never a good thing, and your next water fill isn’t always guaranteed to come from a filtered faucet.
Splint: Use to support a muscle, ligament, or bone injury (SAM Splints are compact and efficient).
ACE bandage: A stretchy, elasticized bandage that can easily be wrapped around an injured area to apply long-term pressure and support.
Insect repellent: Protect yourself from pests with bug spray (go a little stronger and opt for DEET in infected-mosquito areas).
Multi-tool pocket knife: Save space, and weight, by bringing a pocket knife equipped with multiple useful tools.
Bear spray: If you find yourself too close to a bear, this spray can help protect your from potential attacks.
Whistle: To scare off predators, to help rescuers or friends locate you.
Moleskin: Nothing ruins a hiking adventure more than a boot blister.
Headlamp: For safe, hands-free guidance in the dark.
Snacks: When you’re burning calories on the trail, it’s important to refuel to keep moving. A happy hiker beats a hangry hiker.

If you’re heading to an unfamiliar city.

Imodium and/or Antacids: Unfamiliar territory can often mean unfamiliar foods. If you like to indulge, be sure to pack antacids or anti-diarrhea medication to quell any stomach upset.
Z-pack or Cipro: Finding a pharmacy or a doctor isn’t always easy while traveling. Consult with your physician before you leave and see if you can pick up a ‘just in case’ Rx to ward off any potential illnesses you may encounter.
Emergency contraception: You can’t guarantee that all cities you visit will have all the comforts of home, so sexually-active travelers may want to pack Plan B, if they’re worried they won’t be able to access it abroad.

If you’re taking to the seas

Anti-nausea medication: Dramamine, Bonine, and medications of the like can help keep you feeling well, and stable on the seas.
Sea-Bands: If you’re not into medication, or need a little extra help to feel better, these pressure-point bracelets can help ward off motion sickness.
Sick bag: In case those Sea-Bands didn’t work.

If you’re heading to the mountain tops.

Altitude-sickness medication: Prevent, or alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness.
Hypothermia thermometer: These thermometers offer a larger range of temperatures so you can stay aware, and ahead of a potential problem.
Space blanket: A space blanket’s primary use is to help preserve body heat (its reflective make-up can also prove useful in an emergency rescue situation for signaling to others).
Avalanche transceiver: In the event of an avalanche, this transceiver will emit radio waves while buried beneath the snow to help search and rescue teams locate you.

If you’re traveling with your pup.

Hydrogen peroxide: If your dog ingests something foreign, hydrogen peroxide can be used to induce vomiting. Consult your veterinarian to understand when and how much to use in an emergency situation.
Non-adhesive (self-clinging) bandages: Self-clinging bandages will help to avoid getting adhesive caught on fur.
Blunted scissors: Scissors with a rounded tip are safer for your pup (and you), they can help avoid a painful poke.
Collapsible water bowl: Easy transport!
Vaccination records: When traveling, it’s best to have your dog’s medical records on hand in case of an emergency.

If you’re taking a trip with your kiddos.

Pedialyte: If dehydration occurs for any reason (vomiting, diarrhea), Pedialyte can help replace those lost fluids and necessary minerals. It doesn’t hurt for an adult hangover either.
Nasal aspirator: If you’re traveling with babies, this is a useful first-aid kit item to help clear a baby’s nose.
Sleep mask or natural sleep aid: If sleep doesn’t come easy, especially in new places, natural and safe sleep aids (like chamomile tea) for children can help ensure a good night’s sleep while traveling.



10 must-have healthy essentials pro travelers pack in their carry-on

The post How to pack a first-aid kit for every kind of travel appeared first on Matador Network.

Highest bungee jump in China

Extreme thrill-seekers should mark China as their next destination. The bungee jump installed in China’s Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is set to be the highest platform in the world, at 850 feet above the ground. Attached to the deck of a glass-bottomed bridge, the platform is 75 feet higher than the platform on Macau Tower (also based in China), which is the world’s current highest commercial bungee jump.

Photo: Bungy China

Six jumpers were recently invited to test the new Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon jump. Stephanie Shields of the UK told Essex Live “it was one of the smoothest jumps I have ever done and now the biggest in the world…I couldn’t speak as I was just blown away with how incredible it was.”

To make the experience even more extreme, Bungy China is also thinking about adding a giant swing and zip lines to the bridge. The company owner, Beau Retallich, holds a Guinness world record for performing 158 outdoor bungee jumps in 24 hours.

The jump will open to the public following safety checks from Chinese authorities, but as of right now there is no set date. To find out more about the jump, visit Bungy China’s website.

H/T: Lonely Planet

More like this: Zipline 2,200 feet across Niagara Falls this summer

The post The highest, most terrifying bungee jump will soon open in China appeared first on Matador Network.

Misconceptions about Arizona

When a non-native thinks “Arizonan,” a few specific — and usually wrong — stereotypes come to mind. Perhaps this bias is informed by media depictions of Arizonans as cowboys and cowgirls, toting guns and taking names. Every place and culture has common misconceptions and Arizona is no different. Here are a few fallacies we Arizonans would like to go out of fashion.

1. We’re all old.

Actually, the young, hip sector of Arizona’s population is one of the largest in the US. While we host what sometimes feels like gazillions of retirees and elderly snowbirds, families are moving here and having babies. The median age is only 37.

2. We’re all hicks.

Even the most rural of us are pretty darned savvy. We can fix cars and saddles, make and enjoy mescal. Not only that, but Phoenix is a cosmopolitan metropolis and is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, and is sitting pretty at the fifth largest in the US.

3. We’re all tan.

Heck no. We live for months of scorching heat, but we do so indoors, so as to escape the furnace-like climate and the sunburns that go along with it.

4. We have one culture.

Arizona does its best to protect a total of twenty-two sovereign Native American nations within its boundaries. These include the Navajo Reservation and the Hualapai lands at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Each have their own government, laws, and codes of conduct, and there are many sacred sites that non-tribal people aren’t allowed to visit.

5. Our cooking culture only celebrates one darn taco.

UNESCO appointed Tucson the nation’s first in 2015, honoring the region’s diverse cuisine. Arizonans, being from countless different cultural backgrounds, cook all kinds of food, and we do so with creativity, love and pride.

6. We’re all conservative Republicans.

Arizonans are a stubborn bunch, that’s for sure, but we get along ok. We’re turning into a purple state as the population changes, and education has come a long way to appropriate forward-thinking values and inclusivity.

7. We’re wealthy.

Magazine covers featuring pictures of Scottsdale golf resorts and Sedona spas give the vibe that we’re all rolling in dough. Quite the opposite. Arizona ranks smack-dab in the middle of the US ranking of wealth, coming in at 25 in 2018. But dire poverty is everywhere, including near the border with Mexico, tribal reservations, big cities, and small mountain towns that the average earner is priced out of.

8. We are prudish.

We were one of the first states to legalize medical pot. We place a premium on our freedom to be individuals.


10 hard truths Arizonans learn to accept

The post 8 misconceptions the world has about Arizonans appeared first on Matador Network.

Vegemite smoothie is out

If you’re looking to get a truly authentic meal next time you visit Australia, why not try the country’s famous food and drink options at the same time? Boost Juice, Australia’s popular smoothie chain, is coming out with a new flavor that incorporates one of Australia’s most iconic spreads: Vegemite. Made from leftover brewers’ yeast extract and various vegetable and spice additives, Vegemite is a thick, salty, peanut butter-like spread that’s a staple of the Australian diet. It’s so prevalent in Australia that the name of the street where it is made in Melbourne was renamed to Vegemite Way. And now, it comes in smoothie form!

The new Vegemite Boost smoothie features the famous spread mixed with chocolate, vanilla, yogurt, banana, and dates, to create a salted-caramel-type smoothie. It’s part of a new limited edition range of Boost Juice smoothies called the Aussie Milk Bar range, which also features classic flavors like Rocky Road and Cookies & Creme.

Check out one customer’s review of the smoothie:

Vegemite may be an acquired taste, but what better way to acquire it than when it’s mixed with chocolate and banana? You have until the promotion ends on July 1st to taste it.

H/T: Lonely Planet

More like this: 29 signs that you’ve gone full Australian

The post The Vegemite smoothie is Australia’s newest treat appeared first on Matador Network.

Things Wisconsinites find funny

Wisconsinites see the world in a unique way and our sense of humor is no different. If you are visiting the state and find yourself confused about a punchline keep in mind that Wisconsinites are so nice that even though you may not 100% understand what we are all laughing at, you can rest assured we’re are not laughing you. Here are 10 things that only Wisconsinites find funny.

1. When non-Wisconsinites freak out about a little snow.

It’s a snowflake, it’s a snowstorm, the world is ending! When other states shut everything down and act like the apocalypse has come due to a little dusting, we can’t help but chuckle to ourselves.

2. Saying Milwaukee’s skyline is like Chicago’s.

That new Northwestern Mutual building…that’s going to do the trick. Watch out, Windy City! Before you know it, you’ll be in our shadow.

3. When WI kids realize Chicago is not actually full of evil people.

We’ve all seen that little cheesehead who suddenly has the light bulb go off and realizes that just because everyone is continuously cursing Chicago sports teams, the actual people who live there are generally pretty nice and normal.

4. The reactions from out-of-towners when they see a deer tied to the top of a car or waiting on the side of the road.

First comes concern, then confusion then resignation when they see it a half dozen more times. Bonus: seeing their face when they hear everything that will be made from the deer.

5. When we see the pitiful cheese sections at stores out of state.

We can’t help but laugh when we see what grocery stores out of state try to pass off as cheese sections. If it doesn’t take at least 10 minutes to find the exact age of cheddar we want, we can’t be bothered to take it seriously.

6. When we see an out-of-town license plate and it starts to snow.

Poor thing, they have no idea what’s coming. And, yup, they just spun out.

7. When people ask us if Lakes Michigan and Superior are actually lakes.

We understand they’re really big and you can’t always see to the other side but come on, they’re called The Great Lakes for a reason!

8. John McGivern.

This Milwaukee-born comedian makes jokes so specific to life in the cheese state that if you didn’t grow up here, you would think this random guy was just obsessed about talking about Catholic schools and nuns.

9. Hearing old Wisconsinites talk about their childhoods.

When I was a kid… we’ve all heard that line from old folks but we know in Wisconsin that it’s going to involve a lot of snow and walking really far to school. And every time there is suddenly more snow and their school was much farther than the last time they told the story.

10. Every time we get stuck in a traffic jam over 20 minutes…

We have to laugh at ourselves for getting worked up over some little back-up that barely lasted 5 minutes home in Wisconsin.

More like this: 13 things only Wisconsinites truly understand

The post 10 things that only Wisconsinites find funny appeared first on Matador Network.

Memories growing up in Alaska

No native Alaskan are who they are today without some fundamental, and very Alaskan memories tucked in their back pocket. From your first pair of hip boots and polarized sunglasses, without doubt, these are seven memories you have growing up in Alaska.

1. Collecting copious amounts of things.

Be it rocks, fossils, driftwood, sticks for kindling, felled trees for firewood, berries, abandoned fishing gear such as hooks, sinkers, tangled nests of mono-filament line or occasional big-ticket items. If it could fit in a pocket or bucket you collected bits of Alaska everywhere you went.

2. Learning to use the firewood cutting tools.

You likely started off with a set of your very own kid-sized tools and moved up to the ‘real’ grown-up ones at an interval. First came saws — the bright orange handled bow saw and iconic carpenters saw. Followed by a small wood handled ax and wedge. The long-handled ax was next. After that, came the chainsaw and then the granddaddy of them all — the ‘dangerous’ homemade DIY wood splitter your dad built that sped up the process by ten zillion times.

3. Your first pair of hip boots.

Granted, these days, it’s more likely to be some form of high-tech neoprene bibbed chest waders but back in the day, it was rubber boots that went up to the tops of your thighs and attached to your belt with snap closure straps. The summer you were big enough for your first pair of hip boots (aka. the smallest adult size they sold in stores) was the bomb. You’d graduated from the fishing restrictions placed on childhood via standard rain boots and you were free. Free to go out into the ‘deep water’ of the river. And depending on location, you were even allowed to cross over to the other side at will sans parental chaperone.

4. Your first pair of polarized sunglasses.

This was, in some ways an even bigger deal than the hip boots. It meant you had officially entered the realm of “cool Alaskan” and got to function in the fishing sphere as part of the fully initiated Alaska Grown collective — at least where being down on the water was concerned. To this day, nothing beats trying on a pair of sunglasses and discovering by happy accident you can see ‘the fish’ in the little cardboard test-for-polarization-here display thingy.

5. Your first close encounter with an Alaskan bear.

Remember that time you were minding your business, fishing your heart out from the bank? You were trying your darndest to hook into that beautiful red just under your nose. Full of concentration and determination, you looked up and noticed a huge grizzly meandering straight towards you from upstream. Even today you’re still slightly traumatized by the whole encounter.

6. Clamming at low tide.

You ran around the beaches hunting for dimples and hollering, “I found one!”, loud enough to make an entire neighborhood believe you’d found a record-breaking gold nugget. You learned the delicate art of digging next to them and not on top of them. You dug like a crazy person as you raced to catch. And you showed everyone whether interested or not, how many clams were in your bucket. You even managed to convince your parents to let you keep one and take it home as a pet — which in its own weird way became an early lesson in Alaskan marine biology.

7. The glorious smell of campfire smoke.

Not something typically associated with the joyful memory of a place but, for Alaskans campfire smoke is the bee’s knees. The smell tells us summer is here. It tells us adventure is afoot. It tells us the long drive is over, we’ve set up camp and have — at long last — gotten to the part where we can sit back, relax, and enjoy the good stuff because tomorrow, it’s game on.

More like this: 35 habits that are hard to shake when you leave Alaska

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